Sterling Brown enters health and safety protocols: Why Mavericks should be alert

The Dallas Mavericks will be without reserve wing Sterling Brown on Friday as they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis. Brown has averaged just 9.1 minutes over the last ten games, but his absence could be the beginning of something bigger.

The Mavs listed the 6’5 wing as out in the health and safety protocols on Friday afternoon, meaning he is likely to miss multiple games. Fans may remember the team was hit hard by COVID absences over a four-week stretch that began in late December. It started with just one player, but ultimately, 11 players and multiple coaches spent time in the protocols during that stretch. The absences included Luka Doncic and head coach Jason Kidd.

Brown did not test positive during the team’s outbreak earlier this season, and he was one of seven players that did not. Here is a closer look at why fans should be following this story closely.

Sterling Brown out in health and safety protocols: Why Mavericks fans should keep an eye on the situation

Brown made the trip with the team to Minnesota before entering the protocols. The team’s first outbreak started with Reggie Bullock on Dec. 18 and Kristaps Porzingis was the last to clear protocols on Jan. 15. That is nearly a month where Dallas dealt with absences in the health and safety protocols.

If that happens again, the absences would stretch into the playoffs, which are set to begin on April 16. The Mavs have all but secured a spot in the postseason, but they will need a healthy roster to advance beyond the first round for the first time since winning the title in 2011.

The snowball rolled downhill quickly during the Dallas Mavericks' first outbreak. Hopefully, the team did a better job of containing it this time, but it is a story to watch in the weeks to come.

The Mavs are hoping to move up to fourth and secure homecourt in the first round, but a healthy roster is most important. Stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest on the team down the stretch and into the postseason.